A study involving nearly 90,000 people has found that those who catch up on sleep at weekends may have a significantly lower risk of heart disease. The research, published in the journal Sleep, suggests that for some, weekend lie-ins could reduce the risk by up to 20%.
How the study was conducted
Researchers analysed data from 89,903 participants in the UK Biobank project. They divided the participants into four groups based on how much sleep they caught up on at weekends, ranging from those who had no catch-up sleep to those who had the most.
The team then tracked the participants' health over an average of 14 years, looking at hospital records and death registries to identify cases of heart disease, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, and stroke.
Key findings on weekend sleep
The study found that participants who had the most catch-up sleep on weekends were 20% less likely to develop heart disease than those who had the least. The association was particularly strong among those who regularly slept less than seven hours a night during the week.
However, the researchers noted that the study was observational, meaning it cannot prove that weekend lie-ins directly cause the reduced risk. Other factors, such as overall health and lifestyle, could also play a role.
Implications for public health
The findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that sleep is important for heart health. While the study does not suggest that people should abandon regular sleep patterns, it may offer some reassurance to those who struggle to get enough sleep during the working week.
The researchers concluded that for a significant portion of the population who experience sleep deprivation, catching up on sleep at weekends may help to mitigate some of the associated risks.
